Registration number 19
Status National Historic Fleet
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Details

Function Leisure Craft
Subfunction Launch
Location Windermere
Vessel type Saloon Launch
Current use Museum based
Available to hire No
Available for excursions No

Construction

Built in 1850
Hull material Wood
Rig None
Number of decks 1
Propulsion Steam
Number of engines 1
Primary engine type Steam
Boiler type Scotch Return Tube
Boilermaker Ocean Fleets Ltd, Birkenhead
Boiler year 1975
Boiler fuel coal

Dimensions

Breadth: Beam
6.49 feet (1.98m)
Depth
4.00 feet (1.22m)
Length: Overall
40.98 feet (12.50m)

History

DOLLY is thought to have been owned by Alfred Fildes who lived at Sawrey on the western shore of Windermere. By 1894, a Mr Bowness had purchased and transported her to his home in Ullswater. Soon after her arrival, the country was gripped in one of the great frosts. DOLLY lay offshore at her mooring and, pinched by the ice, began to take in water, sinking to a depth of about 40 feet – well below the capabilities of the salvage men of the day. The wreck was discovered by accident early in 1960, during a diving expedition.

After several exploratory dives on the vessel, it became obvious that, even though she was buried in the mud from the stern forward to the cabin, and though she lay in some 45 feet of cold water, a steamer of great importance and interest had been discovered. The wreck presented a finely raked clipper bow with fine gold leaf line extending from the bow along the full length of the ship below the gunwale level and terminating at her counter, thus emphasising her beautiful lines. The salvage operation was completed in November 1962.  After conservation, DOLLY was finally first steamed in August 1965.

DOLLY is now on display in Windermere Jetty Museum's Conservation Store Gallery, in dry dock, to preserve its unique original fabric.

Significance

What is the vessel’s ability to demonstrate history in her physical fabric?

DOLLY’s significance is largely due to her age. Built in 1850, she is a rare example of a very early steam boat showing the transition from sail and oar to mechanical power. Caught in the ice she sunk at her moorings in 1895 and her hull was only discovered by accident in 1960 when she was raised, overhauled and steamed again. Her original boiler, which still exists, was replaced in 1975 by a new all welded Scotch type. Her hull and engine are original, as is the steering wheel and all iron deck fittings.

What are the vessel’s associational links for which there is no physical evidence?

She is believed to have been built for the Fildes family who lived on the shores of Lake Windermere, which gives her a regional significance to the area, however her builder, engine and boiler maker’s names are all unknown. DOLLY may have been the first steam powered screw steamer to operate on Lake Windermere as all the earlier Railway vessels were paddle steamers until SWAN was launched in 1869. The Guinness Book of Records lists her as the oldest mechanically powered boat in the world.

How does the vessel’s shape or form combine and contribute to her function?

DOLLY’s carvel built wooden hull has elegant lines emphasised by a raking clipper bow and a long counter stern.

Source: George Hogg, Registration Sub-Committee, National Historic Ships May 2011

Key dates

  • 1850

    Vessel built, builder details unknown

  • 1895

    Vessel caught in the ice and sank at her moorings in Ullswater

  • 1960

    Discovered by accident during a diving expedition

  • 1962

    Raised and hauled out at Glenridding Pier  Restored to operating condition with original engine

  • 1962

    Exhibited afloat at Windermere Steamboat Museum on Lake Windermere

  • 1965

    22 August: vessel steamed again

  • 1966

    26 July: Royal Highness Prince Philip, boarded this unique craft  Soon after this visit, HRH set up The Maritime Trust for preservation of historic vessel

  • 2019

    Installed as an exhibit within the controlled environment of the Windermere Jetty Museum halls. 

Sources

Brouwer, Norman J, International Register of Historic Ships, Anthony Nelson, pp147, Edition 2, 1993
Steamboat Register: An illustrated Register of surviving steam vessels in the British Isles, Steam Boat Association of Great Britain, Edition 6, May 1994   
Sullivan, Dick, Old Ships, Boats and Maritime Museums, Coracle Books,  1978
Pattison G, Jackson G H, Salvage of Steam Launch Dolly: The oldest mechanically powered boat in the world, Windermere Nautical Trust, 1979

Own this vessel?

If you are the owner of this vessel and would like to provide more details or updated information, please contact info@nationalhistoricships.org.uk

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